Alright, so I need to use remote access for my router, whether I like it or not. The situation I'm in causes me to need access to my router at anytime, even if I'm in another state (Basically, my dad knows nothing about computers so I find myself away from home at times where he needs something configured). I was wondering what exactly I can do to make sure nobody but the connections I want to access the router remotely. Is there any way I can go into router settings and put something like "Only this MAC address can access the router" or something along those lines? I only want one or two computers to access my router remotely and one being my phone.
Also, if someone has the knowledge, can they explain to me how people can hack into someones router settings? I know they can easily get my internet IP address from visiting a website or something like that, but is there software (whether commercial or private) that actually allows the bypass of my username and passwords settings to get into my router, or do they have to get it by social engineering or an actual physical intrusion of the network? What would be the best way (other than disabling remote access completely) to keep unwanted people off the network?